Taiwan top destination for Japanese families in 'golden week'

2012/04/28 20:11:31

Tokyo, April 28 (CNA) Taiwan has become the most popular destination for Japanese families traveling during that country's "golden week" holiday that started Saturday, according to a Japanese travel agency.

The number of Japanese travelers that have made overseas travel bookings for the period April 28-May 6 has risen by 91 percent this year, said Japan's Rakuten Travel, Inc., one of the major operators in the travel industry.

The number of families that have booked trips to Taiwan jumped by 220.6 percent from last year, representing the biggest increase compared with other destinations, the agency said.

It attributed the increased interest in Taiwan to closer Taiwan-Japan ties following the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit northeastern Japan in March 2011.

In general, bookings for travel to China in golden week this year increased by 334.2 percent compared with last year, followed by a 161 percent growth for the Pacific island of Saipan, and a 148.8 percent hike for Taiwan, the agency said.

Saipan is the most popular destination for couples, showing a 206.3 percent increase in such bookings year-on-year, the agency said.